Will Copeland shot Kevin Parsons in the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus setting in motion a sequence of events that led to the state of Texas buying land for Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. Rodger Mallisonrmallison@star-telegram.com

It’s just not right that Kevin Parsons, 43 and homeless at the time, had to die in the early morning of Dec. 5, 2008, in the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus, 70 miles west of Fort Worth.

As told in Sunday’s Star-Telegram by reporter Bill Hanna, Parsons was on the wrong end of a 20-gauge shotgun brought into the bar by Will Copeland, a Mule Lip regular. The two apparently had a dispute about whether Parsons should leave — it was closing time.

More than seven years later, the shooting is of little consequence to most people. It was, after all, one of 123,621 violent crimes in Texas that year, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Copeland was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and spent two years in prison before returning to a quiet life in Palo Pinto County. He died this year, and he and Parsons are buried in the same cemetery in Strawn.

What was remarkable about that fateful 2008 encounter between Parsons and Copeland was the chain of events it set in motion, leading to the accumulation of 4,400 acres for the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Crucial to that chain of events were dedicated people who were determined to make the park a reality. They are the heroes of this story.

Parsons’ family filed a wrongful death suit against Copeland, who settled out of court and signed over 1,330 acres to the family.

Share this entry

https://www.stateparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/TEXAS-Logo.png225225NASPDhttp://www.stateparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Americas_State_Parks_Logo-300x188.jpgNASPD2016-07-07 00:45:592016-07-07 00:45:59TX - A killing, a park, and people who connected them

Many of the early parks and preservation projects accomplished in the United States were through legislative acts by
the states. There was recognition of this growing responsibility in a relatively new field of public service. It
was through early successes that such American landmarks as Niagara Falls, the California redwoods, and the San
Jacinto battleground were saved for prosperity. A few years later, guided by Stephen Mather, the first National
Conference on [State] Parks to promote state and other public parks was conceived, organized, convened and actively
supported by practically every park and conservation luminary in the country. Held in Des Moines, Iowa in January
1921, it brought together some 200 highly motivated delegates and ignited a “prairie fire” for the development of
public parks across America. From the success of this auspicious convocation of modest beginnings grew a national
state park movement that has achieved unimaginable success.11Adapted from The State Park Movement in America by Ney Landrum

America’s State Parks today include more than 2,200 traditional state parks and more than 8,100 additional
areas that provide wonderful outdoor recreation experiences and unique historical, scientific and environmental
education opportunities. Eighteen and one-half million acres provide for grand diversity – from the vastness of a
half-million acre mountainous landscape, to the colorful intricacies of a living coral reef, to the world’s longest
stalactite formation, to the tallest sand on the Atlantic seaboard, to the historic locations where European
settlers first came to America, and much more. This mosaic of the natural resources and cultural fabric of America
and the splendor of its beauty are enjoyed by 791 million visitors to state parks annually. Both remote and resort
in their offerings, America’s State Parks are indeed yours to explore and experience.

Now, as during the past century and the beginning of the state park movement, the support of partners are invaluable
to success of parks. America’s State Parks have long been recognized their accessibility, and for
their effectiveness and management efficiencies.

Support from individuals, friends groups and corporate America are central to continuing to provide and advance quality
outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities in America’s State Parks and safeguard their importance to the
nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.